Hamilton relegation confirmed as appeal against points deduction dismissed by SFA tribunal

Hamilton Academical’s relegation to League One has been confirmed after their appeal against a points deduction was dismissed.

The decision was made by a Scottish Football Association tribunal on Thursday.

The Championship side were hit with a 15-point penalty and £9,000 after being found to have breached a series of rules.

That meant they were left at the foot of the second-tier and consigned to relegation to League One next season.

The club launched an appeal against the charges which was heard by the SFA.

The governing body has now dismissed that appeal and all sanctions have been reimposed with immediate effect, meaning they finish bottom of the division.

The South Lanarkshire club said in a statement: “The club is obviously very disappointed at the outcome of the appeal to the SFA Tribunal where the decision of the SPFL Tribunal was upheld with the result that the 15 point deduction stands.

“The board is prevented from making any further comment on the matter by SPFL regulations, but will communicate further with supporters in early course.”

Hamilton will now begin to prepare for life in League One next season following their game against Premiership hopefuls Falkirk on Friday.

A win for the Bairns will see them promoted to the top division as Champions unless Livingston beat Partick Thistle by at least nine goals at Almondvale.

But anything less than a win would open the door for David Martindale’s men to clinch the title on the last day despite trailing Falkirk all season.

Hamilton also revealed on Thursday that they will relocate to Broadwood and make plans to build a new stadium after rejecting a proposal to continue leasing New Douglas Park from the club’s former owner.

The news is a further blow to Accies fans who will now face a 28-mile round trip to Cumbernauld for games next season.

The development comes 24 hours after Clyde, former tenants at Broadwood, announced that they would continue playing at New Douglas Park next season.